Single female walking

[MattesJ]

10+ years ago while traveling around Spain I found the Camino. Having a new baby, walking it was out of the question. However, for the first time since then I my kids will be with relatives and I find myself looking at several weeks in August to myself. While thinking of things to do during my pending freedom, I thought of the Camino. So, who can tell me where to start if I have 1-2 weeks, and someone please reassure me that it is safe to walk it alone as a woman. Being a single mom, for the sake of my kids, I can't take crazy risks.

[Pavel]

For one week start in Sarria and for two weeks in Leon or Astorga. Two weeks are definitely better - last 100 km is bit overcrowded and percentage of interresting people is higher before Sarria.

During my Camino I met many women who started alone (most of them found a group of friends on the way) and no one of them had any problems for being a single female. So it IS safe.

[Covey]

As Pavel says, you will be safe on the Camino. It is certainly the safest walk in Europe for a solo female to undertake.

Each day there will be up to 100 people walking the stage you are on, so if you ever feel uncomfortable walking alone, just stop and walk with the person/s who are behind you. I have never heard of any pilgrim, male or female, coming to any harm in three Camino's.

The Spanish take the welfare of any pilgrim seriously, and will always extend a helping hand.

[toawakenothers]

I began my pilgrimage alone at St. Jean Pied a Port in June 2001 and ended it in Ponferrada in July 2001. All along the way, as i desired company, i found walking companions, both men and women. None were far away. I had no fear.

Ask for guidance internally. Talk to your Guides and Angels. I found my walking stick a few minutes after I internally asked my Angels to find me a stick to help me walk uphill, my knees were aching. I found it on the ground a foot ahead of me. i still have it.

It is hard to be a fearless woman. Because of upbringing, the world at large, we are always on edge because of safety. In contrast, men have told me that they don't think about their own safety as much as we do ours. It is a fact of life. I found the Camino to be safer than walking in the cities at night, simply because those who would try to hurt anyone are NOT going to hike 12 kilometers out of town with a backpack!

Utreyia!